The New York Rangers and the Montreal Canadiens meet at the Bell Centre on Thursday in a battle of two teams playing out disappointing seasons and waiting to see what other changes are looming before the NHL trade deadline Monday at 3 p.m.

The Rangers (27-28-5), an Eastern Conference contender for the last few years, made it clear Feb. 8 they were shifting into a rebuild mode and shipped out defenseman Nick Holden to the Boston Bruins for defenseman Rob O'Gara and a 2018 third-round draft pick Tuesday.

Rangers forwards Rick Nash, Michael Grabner and David Desharnais, who are all on expiring contracts, could be playing their last game for the Blueshirts.